James “Donny†Smith
No Matter Where He Was, His Heart Was Always in “Winthrop by the Seaâ€
James D. “Donny†Smith, 69, a lifelong resident of Winthrop, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 14 at Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation Center in Saugus surrounded by his loving family.
A lifelong resident of Winthrop, Donny graduated from Winthrop High School in 1971, where he
played football. After high school, he attended ITT Technical Institute.
Donny worked at Duplin Marine in Winthrop for many years where, alongside his brother Skip, they took pride in building Star class sailboats that raced all over the country. Despite this, Donny used to joke with Skip that “if it doesn’t have an engine, it’s not a boat.â€
Donny also worked at Pilot Air Freight in East Boston for more than 25 years in outbound operations where he was a valued employee and friend.
No matter where he was, Donny’s heart was always in Winthrop by the Sea. He was happiest spending time by the ocean, viewing a beautiful sunset or thunderstorm, stargazing and fishing — he was always trying to catch the big one! He was also an avid Boston sports fan, particularly of the New England Patriots.
Donny loved life and never took it for granted. He always had a smile on his face and had the best sense of humor, which he passed on to his children. He will be deeply missed.
Born in Winthrop on May 28, 1953, he was the cherished son of the late Millard F. “Smitty†and Hilma “Lucille†(Barker) Smith; loving father of Melissa Williams and her husband, Ray of Winthrop, Stephen Smith and his wife, Amanda of Portland, ME, Courtney Smith of Woburn and Kaylen McCarthy and her husband, Pat of Lynn; dear brother of the late Millard F. (Skip) Smith and his husband, John Williams of Newton, Robert (Bobby) Smith and his wife, Peggy of Winthrop and Linda Smith Papalia and her husband, Gene of Marlborough; devoted and proud Papa of Marie, Abby, Emily and Kenzie Williams; uncle of Matthew Papalia and his partner, Marissa Cimino, Cali Papalia Amato and her husband, Mike and great-uncle of Nico Amato. Donny was also beloved by many cousins and he had a very special bond with his cousin and friend, Paul English.
Visiting hours were held at Maurice W. Kirby Funeral Home, 210 Winthrop Street, Winthrop on Tuesday, July 19. Funeral services private. Donations can be made in Donny’s memory to www.mds-foundation.org.
To sign James’ guestbook, please visit: www.mauricekirbyfh.com.
Thomas Bailey
Graduate of Winthrop High School, Class of 2021
Thomas W. Bailey of Winthrop passed away at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston on July 13. He was 19 years old.
Born in Boston, the beloved son of Beth (Wayland) and Thomas Bailey, he was a life-long resident of Winthrop and a 2021 graduate of Winthrop High School. Thomas enjoyed playing baseball, hockey and playing with his friends on Xbox.
He was the dear brother of Teddy Bailey and the cherished grandson of Doreen and Ronald Wayland of Winthrop and the late Maureen and William Bailey. He was also survived by his dog, Bailey.
The Funeral Mass was held in the St. John the Evangelist Church, Winthrop on Tuesday, July 19. Rev Christopher O’Connor celebrated the mass and offered prayers at the interment in the Belle Isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Donald Potito
Retired Claims Adjuster
Donald D. Potito of Winthrop passed away at home on July 13. He was 82 years old.
Born in East Boston, the beloved son of the late Leonora (Bellucci) and Dominic Potito, he was a resident of Winthrop since 2006. He worked as a claims adjuster prior to his retirement and was a member of the Winthrop Golf Club.
He was the loving father of Christina Rogers and her husband, Francis of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, Michael Potito and his wife, Nicole of Jamaica Plain and Donald D . Potito, Jr. and his husband, Nate Cory of Billerica and cherished grandfather of Christopher, Michael, Daniel and Emma.
A funeral service was celebrated by Deacon Jim Leo in the Caggiano Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 19. The committal was private.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Jean Marguerite DeBiasi
She Was a Blessing and a Live Wire to All Who Knew Her and She Will Be Missed
On July 18, 2022, Jean Marguerite (Saulnier) DeBiasi, 88, Jean took the hand of Jesus and walked into eternal salvation in God’s kingdom. Today she is with her parents, Joseph Alvin Saulnier and Mary Grace Comeau. And she is also with her nine siblings, brothers: Leonard, wife, Rita and their son, Paul, Ralph, Louis, Clarence, Edwin and his wife, Sadie, Gilbert, William, and an unnamed infant who died stillborn. She is also with her only sister, Doris Doucet and her husband, Robert. And lest we forget, she is now with her husband of 61 years, Michael James De Biasi, who predeceased her four years ago. She is survived by her children: Michael and his partner, Roberta Goldberg of Swampscott, James and his wife, Diane of Peabody and daughter, Susan and her partner, Joanne Carter of Auburn, Maine. She is also survived by her three grandchildren: Michael and his wife, Christine, James and his wife, Stephanie, and Daniel and his partner, Taylor Hamilton, plus two great grandchildren, Connor and Brady. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephew, and wild and crazy friends.
Her 88 years began in Saulnierville, Nova Scotia as the 9th of 10 children on May 28, 1934, three siblings never made it through childhood. Her family moved to East Boston to support the American war effort in World War II as several of her siblings worked at the Charlestown Navy Yard. After the war, the family returned to Nova Scotia. She immigrated to the USA after that and moved in with her brother, Leonard in Winthrop. Several of her brothers also moved to Winthrop and added to the growing French-Canadian community in the town. She then finished high school, met the love of her life and raised her family.
She loved chocolate/lobster/traveling/Las Vegas/wintering in Florida along with countless other endeavors, this gal was a funster. She never met a party or a casino she didn’t like. But mostly, she loved being a mother and raising her children and assisting in the raising of her grandchildren.
Her last six years were marred by the ravages of dementia and old age. Through it all, she never lost her sense of humor or joy of living. She was a blessing and a live wire to all who knew her and she will be missed. This world just got a lot quieter, and Heaven just got a lot more fun.
Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Sunday, July 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. The funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Monday, July 25 at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. John the Evangelist Church, 320 Winthrop St., Winthrop at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with the interment in the Belle isle section of Winthrop Cemetery.
For directions or to sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.
Memorial donations may be made the Alzheimer’s Association of MA/NH